Maya Universe Academy

I am glad that I went to this program this summer.

I went there for construction learning but the experience of a unique community culture, meaningful work, and simple but diverse daily life was so unforgettable.

I had such a great time with kids, international volunteers, and local staff. I had so many striking conversations and fun moments every day.

I felt some parts of me that were trained in “civilized” cities were broken and something across the border and language was rebuilt there. I slowed down my steps to spend time with people, with nature, and with myself. I rethought human needs and values in a more realistic but idealized way.

It is a good space to not only think about life but also live a life！

It is morning, but the sun is already shining in the sky. Children and volunteers, we hold hands in a big circle keeping our eyes closed. When we open them, the children run up to me and hug me: "Good morning Miss!"

The beginning of my month of volunteering, a month of life, of discovery, of growth.

I am a teacher, so I spent most of my time in school. I found in every student an incredible smile and enthusiasm for every little new thing and every activity proposed.

In the jungle, in contact with nature, you have the precious opportunity of a time that flows slowly, allowing you to appreciate every moment, every thought, every sunset, every encounter.

Thanks to all the volunteers and local staff, thousands of miles away from home I felt I had a family ready to help me

I only spent 1 week at Maya universe academy, but it was an unforgettable experience, very rich in human terms!
Whether it's the staff or the children, each person is unique and adorable.
I highly recommend ! 🫶🏼

This place stole my heart and I will definitely come back. I was here 5 months and volunteered as a teacher in science, football and guitar. Maya Universe Academy is a place and family full of love where I learned so much more than I taught. The Nepali community at Maya have let me experience humbleness, tolerance, giving without expecting in return, being happy with less, living with nature, and so much more. Besides this we were in a really nice group of volunteers where we worked together with the local Nepali people to do different projects for a better future of Nepal and had lots of fun. It was an amazing experience that change my life in a very positive way.

I just spent the two most wonderful months of my life teaching English at Maya.
The moment I arrived there, I immediately felt at home. The Nepali staff are welcoming and helpful, and the other volunteers are just as nice and I had a blast spending time with them ! On top of that, the kids are the nicest and most amazing kids in the world and I felt so sad when I had to tell them goodbye.
This experience made me learn and grow so much and I feel so grateful of having the opportunity to have played a small part in the evolution of Maya.
Maya means love and this is not just an expression; this place stole my heart and all the amazing memories I have there will definitively stay with me forever. I will be back!

No words can describe. more then amazing. I was spending 3 months at the school teaching English, and learned myself so much more. the kids are full of love, joy, energy, and wisdom. the connections I made with the kids and the volunteers would be part of me forever. this place is an opportunity for each one to learn real authentic love that cross countries.
more over, the place is beautiful and full of nature.
I have no doubt I would come beck to this community calls Maya.

I will start with the statement that maya universe academy is the best place in the world! it's a place where you find real happiness, pure love and prespective about importance in life.
i stayed in maya for almost two months, and those months were the peak of my life. i had so much fun and felt so much love together with meaningful experience.
first of all, you can find in maya the most amazing kids in the world, they are so mature, friendly and grant you so much love that is so pure.
The education the kids get in maya is amazing and inspiring.
Their expose to many cultures in the image of volunteers that come from all over the world, make a lot of influence. I'm so happy that i was part of it.
the school is located in the middle of the Nepali jungle which is a beautiful area full of peace and full of beautiful and amazing people from the villages around.
I'm in love with this place and appreciate every moment i have been there.
I truly recommend everyone to come and volunteer in maya universe academy, and get an amazing experience in return.

It's really hard to try and put into words how incredible Maya is, but I've tried my best!

While I initially planned on staying at Maya for just 2 months, I ended up staying for closer to 6. My role there included working on the cooking team as well as teaching grade 8 health education.

I absolutely loved it!

The work was incredibly fulfilling! I found teaching a great way to utilize my skills as a nurse - and in some ways, I think it really helped to improve my knowledge!

I really liked that while guided by a text book Maya encourages flexibility in teaching. With this I was able to spend a little bit more time on areas of health that the kids were really interested in - which I think made our classes more fun for everyone.

Overall, I found that the students were really keen to learn, they were engaged and asked a lot of questions. They were definitely more mature than what I remember from my experience of health education in New Zealand!

I made really strong connections with some of the students and we still remain in contact. I am cheering them on, now from afar, and am excited to see what they do next!

In terms of the staff:

Bisham, the volunteer coordinator is an all around great guy who will make you feel really welcome staying at Maya! He is friendly and approachable and really helpful - you can ask him anything!

Alice, who is in charge of the hostel and scheduling, is really lovely. She treats the children as her own and is a great advocate.

The schools co-founders Manjil and Yoon are really involved with the running of the school. It's clear that they really care for the students - while at school and beyond. They want to see Maya students succeed and will do anything they can to help that happen.

I love that the school is largely Nepali lead and Nepalese culture and traditions remain strong.

I highly recommend volunteering your time at Maya Universe Academy! If your experience is anything like mine, you will sing, dance, laugh and love more than you ever have in your life!

Maya 2022 was a series of beautiful moments now frozen in time being near perfect forever - they can never be replicated in the same way ever again. I will be forever grateful for all of the friends I have made while at Maya, who share those moments and memories with me. Friends I have made at Maya will be in my heart for life.

Every day I look forward to the day I can come back to Maya again. It has been one of the best things I've done. Sending love to everybody there xxx

The volunteering here was really great. It was such an amazing experience to meet the kids and the other volunteer, had a great time. I'd defenitely recommend the place

À beautiful place in Népal, if you wish to spend some Time in a school in the middle of the jungle, in a beautiful environment surrounded by amazing people this is the place to be.

Breath-taking experience!

Maya Universe Academy is een prachtige school midden in de jungle in Nepal. Hier heb ik 6 maanden gewerkt en de tijd van mijn leven gehad!

Gedicht (geschreven tijdens de feestdagen):

De ‘Maya universe academy’ is een bijzondere plek.
Midden in de jungle, helemaal te gek!
In kleine bamboo hutjes op een berg in Nepal.
Waar tachtig kinderen wonen knus en smal.
Misschien hebben ze hier niet zoveel geld.
Maar het rijkdom van familie is ongeteld.
Omringd door allemaal broertjes, zusjes, ooms en tantes.
Maakt deze Mayans allemaal verwanten.
Zij verwachten niet oneindig veel cadeaus deze dag.
Maar worden blij van iedere glimlach.
Zorgen voor elkaar, liefde geven en ontvangen.
Dat is wat zij verlangen.
Helaas is het onderwijs te duur voor velen.
Daarom is deze school opgericht, om gratis kennis te delen.
Vrijwilligers geven lessen samen met Nepalezen.
Zodat ieder kind leert schrijven en lezen.
De Engelse taal zorgt ervoor dat deze kinderen kunnen studeren over alle grenzen.
En kunnen worden wat zij maar wensen.

‘Maya’ betekent onvoorwaardelijke liefde en dat zie je hier iedere dag.
Samen leren, spelen, wonen, leven en alles voor een glimlach.

J’ai eu l’immense chance d’aller dans cet école pour 5 semaines. Mon seul regret est de ne pas être restée plus longtemps. C’est un endroit réellement magique, les gens sont exceptionnel, gentils, accueillants et inspirants. Les élèves sont formidables. Le quotidien est intense et épanouissant ! Je m’y suis sentie comme à la maison en seulement quelques jours. Un rêve réellement… je recommande si vous souhaitez avoir une expérience de volontariat enrichissante!!!

Je ne peux que recommander l'expérience Maya ! J'y ai passé les deux mois les plus enrichissants de ma vie et je pense y retourner dès que possible. L'ambiance y est incroyable, aussi bien avec les volontaires, les enfants ou le staff de l'école, qui accompagne parfaitement les arrivants.

Après avoir réalisé une expérience humanitaire au sein de l’école Maya, je vous confirme que cette organisation est exceptionnelle. La gestion quotidienne des élèves et des volontaires est parfaite. Rien a dire, c’est une très belle aventure et je vous recommande d’y aller !!

École public et gratuite pour les enfants accueillant des volontaires du monde entier pour vivre une expérience unique !

Una de les millors escoles, projectes humanitaris que hi podria haver a Nepal. Les persones que ho gestionen, l'Alice i tots els integrants com el Bisham, el Manoj et fan sentir com a casa. Sense cap mena de dubte si tens ganes d'involucrar-te en un projecte fet amb moltíssim amor és el lloc perfecte.